Ex-minister Matheson to step down from Holyrood

Former health secretary Michael Matheson has confirmed he will stand down as an MSP at the Holyrood election next year.

The Falkirk West SNP representative is one of the original intake having been elected in 1999.

Since then he has served in a number of government roles as well as health secretary, including justice secretary and transport secretary.

Last year he was handed the longest ever ban from the Scottish Parliament after breaking expenses rules in a row over an £11,000 data roaming bill.

Matheson was barred for 27 sitting days after the bill was racked up on his parliamentary iPad during a family trip to Morocco in late 2022.

When details of the bill were first made public, he said the device had only been used for parliamentary work.

But Matheson subsequently admitted that his sons had used the device as a data hotspot so they could watch football.

He later paid back the bill in full and apologised.

In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, Matheson said he looked forward to seeking new challenges outside of frontline politics.

He joins a group of 26 MSPs, including former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, who have now announced they will not seek re-election next year.

In a statement released on Sunday night, Matheson said serving the community had been a "privilege".

He wrote: "As one of the original members of the Scottish Parliament elected in 1999, by the time of the election in 2026 I will have served as an MSP for 27 years.

"When I joined the SNP at 17 years of age the re-establishment of a Scottish Parliament was still a distant prospect.

"I could never have imagined that I would have had the privilege to represent Falkirk in our national parliament for over two decades."

Matheson was originally elected for the Central Scotland region, and later became Falkirk West's MSP in 2007.

He wrote: "During my time in Parliament, I was also honoured to serve in government for 13 years across five different ministerial portfolios.

"I will always be deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in government and to implement policy in justice, health, transport and climate change that has made Scotland a better place for all."

First Minister John Swinney said he would be sorry to see Matheson step down.

He added: "Michael is a valued colleague who has made a significant contribution to the work of parliament and government since 1999.

"I wish him well for the future."

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: "Michael Matheson has clearly recognised that continuing to be an MSP was untenable after resigning in disgrace as health secretary last year.

"He becomes part of an ever-growing list of SNP MSPs to desert the party ahead of next year's election.

"Matheson's tenure as health secretary will be remembered for scandal, dishonesty and failure.

"His decision to stand down highlights John Swinney's appalling lack of judgement in defending him to the hilt despite Matheson fleecing the taxpayer out of £11,000 for roaming charges."